Morrison Foerster

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Morrison Foerster hires from top national schools and reputable schools near its offices, seeking candidates who can clearly explain their reason for wanting to join the firm and live in the area with the hiring office. Successful candidates fit the firm’s laid-back and respectful culture. Attorneys and staff maintain an open-door policy, work collaboratively, and regularly connect through firm-sponsored social events, such as seasonal gatherings and group lunches. Partners willingly share insights about assignments, explaining why the work matters and how it connects to larger firm goals. Each new associate receives a designated partner mentor, with a budget for mentoring activities. Practice groups hold topic-specific training, and firmwide learning and development programming provide access to additional training. Associates find work via a free market system. The firm requires 1,950 legal services hours, of which 1,800 hours must be client billable. Lockstep salaries match the market, and associates who meet the hour requirement earn a market bonus. MoFo also matches other firms’ special bonuses and rewards high performers with additional bonuses. Pro bono opportunities are flagged for associates, and time spent on pro bono counts toward the legal services hours requirement. Promotion to equity partnership is realistic, but challenging, and the firm offers an anonymous career placement service to help associates find exit opportunities in-house with clients or at government agencies. Notable perks include commuter benefits, a work-from-home setup, counseling services, and gym discounts.